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Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan agree to meet in huge all-Irish battle on March 1

Irish welterweights Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will clash at the SSE Arena in Belfast on March 1, it was announced today.

Crocker, from Belfast, is currently 20-0 (11) as a pro and has this year beaten Jose Felix, stopped inside five rounds, and Conah Walker, who was bested on points.

As for Donovan, he hails from Limerick, and has a pro record of 14-0 (11). Two years younger than Crocker at 25, Donovan was last seen stopping Lewis Ritson in nine rounds in May.

Great fight! Unfortunately I can't make it that weekend.

Been waiting for this one.

This is a proper fight.

Yessssss. Sign me up, this should be good

Winner of Lewis Crocker-Paddy Donovan in line to fight ‘Boots’ Ennis

The winner of the all-Ireland clash between Paddy Donovan and Lewis Crocker should be in line to fight the IBF welterweight champion Jarron “Boots” Ennis.

Donovan, 14-0 (11 KOs), and Crocker, 20-0 (11 KOs), meet at the SSE Arena in Belfast on March 1 in a fight that will do brisk business – so much so that the promoter Eddie Hearn is hoping to have the venue’s capacity increased for fight night.

The contest represents a final eliminator for Ennis’ title.

“That is confirmed with the IBF,” Hearn told Matchroom. “Crocker-Donovan is a final eliminator for the mandatory position for Jarron Ennis. It is a massive fight.”

For the past 12-to-18 months, the Irishmen have appeared to be on a collision course – which is why Hearn expects a busy night in the former Odyssey Arena.

“The response for that fight – we’ve got a problem,” the promoter continued. “Because the date in that arena would only allow us I think five or six thousand, because there’s something else in, on the Sunday or something. So I said to Frank Smith, ‘You’ve got to get that arena as big as possible, because the demand has been massive, and I want a real lively undercard the night as well’.

“We’ll sell the whole Odyssey out if we’re allowed. So hopefully we can go from six to nine [thousand] or whatever it is.”

Hoping this goes ahead, looks a belter on paper. Might be tempted to go to this

Press Release

Emerging Irish boxer Paddy Donovan, 14-0 (11 KOs), had to withdraw from a planned “stay busy” fight in December due to a minor injury. But he’s now preparing to fight a major rival in a domestic showdown.

Donovan, who fights out of Limerick and trains in Dublin, will fight Lewis Crocker, 20-0 (11 KOs), of Belfast, Northern Ireland, on March 1st. The bout will headline a Matchroom Boxing card to be streamed live on DAZN from SSE Arena in Belfast in an IBF world title eliminator.

“There’s something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I’m the next,” Donovan proclaimed. “I think having turned pro at 19 and now 25, it took many life changes since turning pro. It’s so much what I’ve learned in the gym that counts the most as it is the ups-and-downs of life – becoming a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me to improve. I’ve improved as a person and that helped me become a better fighter.”

Donovan is currently rated in three of the four major sanctioning bodies: No. 5 with the WBA, No. 6 with the IBF, and No. 14 with the WBC.

“I am in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee and Keith Sullivan,” Donovan said. “I know I will not stop until I’m world champion.”

“It is going to be an explosive fight for sure,” commented NYC attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, rugged Irishmen with a lot to prove to the world. We were concerned about the injury but feel confident that it won’t pose an issue for the March 1st battle. Paddy is locked in and training hard under the ever-watchful guidance of trainer Andy Lee.”

Donovan has dedicated his last few fights to the suicide prevention charity Pieta House, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity that provides mental health services throughout Ireland. Paddy lost two relatives to suicide. The Pieta Crisis Helpline, 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harm and also supports those bereaved through suicide.

I don't think Paddy should have too many problems.

This is gna be a cracker!

Lovely match between two talented and likeable fighters. I might come out of hiding and attend this one.

Padraig McCrory and Craig Richards is on tap this card.

Fight Week!!

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I really like this bill, top four fights are all competitive.

Looking forward to this as well, good blend of styles, solid card

Hoping the croc can pull this off but think Donovan must be the favourite here .

Donovan bringing up the Celtic/Rangers angle, always adds a bit of spice

I hadn't heard of these 2 previously so I watched some of them in action yesterday. I think Donovan is gonna win the fight. He seems like the slicker, more talented fighter of the 2 here. His defense is a little shaky, and he walks into right hands fairly often, but I don't think Crocker will be the guy to make him pay for that as it seems his money punch is his left hook and jab. His right hand is decent, but he's not the biggest puncher.

Good matchup between guys at a similar level, but the eye test tells me Paddy is the better fighter. I'm intrigued to see this one this weekend.

This is the acid test for both of them ! Good match up

Paddy projects the look of a winner and is very purposeful once the bell rings, but he's facing a proper banger in Lewis who has shown a good chin so far and decent stamina (for someone who is aggressive & hits hard).

I feel Crocker can win this fight either way, stoppage or points, but I'm very interested to see how Donovan reacts to the heat & heavy hands Crocker will be bringing to the table

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑28 Feb 2025, 05:03 This is the acid test for both of them ! Good match up

Paddy projects the look of a winner and is very purposeful once the bell rings, but he's facing a proper banger in Lewis who has shown a good chin so far and decent stamina (for someone who is aggressive & hits hard).

I feel Crocker can win this fight either way, stoppage or points, but I'm very interested to see how Donovan reacts to the heat & heavy hands Crocker will be bringing to the table

Does the Croc really hit that hard ?
Only really seen a few of his last fights and doesn't strike me as a banger .

rd350lc wrote: ↑28 Feb 2025, 08:04

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑28 Feb 2025, 05:03 This is the acid test for both of them ! Good match up

Paddy projects the look of a winner and is very purposeful once the bell rings, but he's facing a proper banger in Lewis who has shown a good chin so far and decent stamina (for someone who is aggressive & hits hard).

I feel Crocker can win this fight either way, stoppage or points, but I'm very interested to see how Donovan reacts to the heat & heavy hands Crocker will be bringing to the table

Does the Croc really hit that hard ?
Only really seen a few of his last fights and doesn't strike me as a banger .

Billy Nelson said. Oh, hang on...

I think Crocker hits pretty hard. As the opposition has steadily increased they are tougher and also well aware of the power Crocker carries.

He's not in Wayne Alexander's league....but who is


Haha I got taken to task by Billy over an observation i posted about Crocker And i meant it as a compliment !

Crocker was at his best in his mtk days, before the layoff - he was a heavy handed boxer / mover/counterer (esp good to the body) who let any knockouts come naturally. watch his drubbing of louis green, who since done pretty well for himself. since he's been back he's forced things more and fighting like he wants to be seen as a banger, but it's not the best approach for him. if he falls into that here pad thai on points seems likely

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Feb 2025, 13:02 Crocker was at his best in his mtk days, before the layoff - he was a heavy handed boxer / mover/counterer (esp good to the body) who let any knockouts come naturally. watch his drubbing of louis green, who since done pretty well for himself. since he's been back he's forced things more and fighting like he wants to be seen as a banger, but it's not the best approach for him. if he falls into that here pad thai on points seems likely

What's happened with Green ? Not seen him out in a while .
Was it a British title fight he was in that was a fantastic scrap ?